RT Weddings Photography

Double booking a wedding?

Unfortunately many customers are unaware that double booking still takes place in our
industry and sometimes by some of the higher level professionals who really should know
better.

I know this as I am continually approached by other photographers who have double booked,
sometimes even treble booked asking if I can cover a wedding and what makes this more
worrying is how little the notice is, sometimes less than a week. If I were a customer
and I had booked a professional photographer based upon his talent and likability and
without notice a completely different photographer turned up on the day, I would be
absolutely mortified. The substitute photographers are usually asked to do this for a
minimal amount of money compared to the booking price which is called an op fee and with
that in mind have no real duty of responsibility other than to earn a few extra quid.

Be aware, if you are a professional photographer and you get approached to do this you
may be walking into a very difficult situation as couples on their wedding day may not
be to pleased to see you and will take it very personally.

The task of finding a professional photographer in itself is such a time consuming
and research intensive process. The couple need to be re-assured and happy that they are
making the correct decision, and for a stranger they have not met to turn up on their
special day, how most likely has no knowledge of any of the customers bespoke requirements
is in my opinion unacceptable. As professional photographers, we abide by codes of conduct
set out by our governing bodies (in the UK this would be the BIPP, SWPP or MPA) and this
practice goes against everything we are suppose to be doing. As far as I can see, the only
reason this practice currently takes place is down to greed.

By making more people aware of this I hope it is something we can stamp out as any bad
publicity on professional photographers effects us all!

By Dean Robson - RT Weddings